Week 2: She got her stitches out! Yeah!
Those large sutures made with fishing line... Gone! Dr. David Lidbetter (her surgeon) said she was doing "well". So, not the best he's seen, but not the worst. Seriously... pretty non-committal and middle of the road kind of answer.
We talk about the next 6 weeks- this is the time to encourage her nerves to grow. He says she can scootch around on the floor for short periods, but to be aware that if left to scootch, there will be no need for her to walk, she will just get used to pulling herself on her front legs it will be a habit hard to break. She needs to stay in her pen 24/7 still except for excercises and pee breaks. Even if we have to express her bladder, to take her outside and reward her for going. We need to motivate her to walk.... so continue the passive resistance exercises, tickle her toes, and massage. 4 weeks after surgery we can do water therapy (put her in a tub and make her walk through water).
I asked about acupuncture and his response was that if I found someone with lots of experience on animals (so not just a practitioner who has experience on humans and then done a 6wk animal course) and who I feel comfortable with, it will do her no harm, but to stay away from the inexperienced, and try to get a recommendation from people who have used one with good results.
As to dietary supplements, and I had a long list: glucosamine, rose hip, omega 3, etc he said none of them really target the intervertebral discs, and in his opinion, were a waste of money.
Of course I then asked him about our pet-insurace question... and he said he could not recommend one as it was not appropriate for him to do so, but we did then have a short conversation with the secretary doing the insurance claims for the hospital and she said that yes, some were better than others, (duh) to read the fine print, to get a quote in writing asking for them specifically if they cover the main areas of concern, and that PetPlan seemed to pay the best. But overall, they all had positive and negative points and to be careful. David then went onto say he does not have pet insurance for his dogs. (why would he? he would operate on them himself or send to a friend... ) We laughed anyway.
Dr. David has always made us feel very welcome and answers all our questions without making us feel rushed or stupid. There was no extra charge for having her stitches out. I believe he does genuinely care for his patients, and loves animals, which is what you want in a good surgeon! (And did I mention he's easy on the eyes?)
"A" continues to take Gidget for play dates with her Violet. "A's" hilarious.... she asked me if she could give Gidget a bath, 'cause she was giving Violet one, and I said sure if you can... Gidget hates bath time! LOL anyway, of course she did, and continues to so , and Gidget comes home smelling so sweet, and clean, with soft fur and trimmed nails..... I had to make a joke, that Gidget gets a bath over at "A's more frequently than I wash my hair!
The routine of cleaning, and looking after Penny is really starting to wear me down, I still continually cry at the drop of a hat, and burst into tears with out the slightest trigger. Tired. Cranky. Impatient. I look at her in her pen and wonder if I've done the right thing? Was the money worth it? What will her quality of life be when this is over? Will this ever be over? How long can we keep this up? 8-12 weeks, sure.... but 8-12 months? or longer? I can't bear it. It's awful.
No comments:
Post a Comment